FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 in India: Dates, Venue, Prize Fund, Format & Key Players

The chess world’s spotlight will soon shine on Goa, India, as the coastal state hosts the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 from October 31 to November 27, 2025.
This marks the first time India will host the prestigious knockout event, symbolizing how far the country has come as a global chess powerhouse.

Organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in collaboration with the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and supported by the Government of Goa, the event is expected to draw top-tier grandmasters, emerging prodigies, and a worldwide audience.

Tournament Format and Schedule of Chess World Cup 2025

The 2025 edition will follow the classic knockout (single-elimination) structure that has defined the FIDE World Cup since its inception.

Dates: October 31 – November 27, 2025
Rounds: 7 knockout rounds
Sections: Open and Women’s
Players: 206 in the Open section and 103 in the Women’s
Classical time control: 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one

Tiebreaks: If the two-game classical mini-match ends 1–1, players compete in rapid and blitz tiebreakers

The top three finishers in the Open section qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, while the top two in the Women’s World Cup advance to the Women’s Candidates.

Prize Fund and Distribution

According to FIDE, the total prize fund exceeds USD 2.5 million, split between the Open and Women’s events.

Position	Open	Women’s
1st	$110,000	$60,000
2nd	$80,000	$50,000
3rd	$60,000	$40,000
4th	$50,000	$35,000
5–8	$30,000	$20,000
9–16	$25,000	$15,000
17–32	$15,000	$10,000
33–64	$10,000	$7,000
65–128	$5,000	$4,000
129–206 (Open only)	$3,750	-

In addition, players earn FIDE Grand Prix points contributing to qualification for future world championship cycles.

The Road to the World Cup

Qualification for the event comes through multiple channels:

Continental championships (Asian, European, American, and African zonals)
Top FIDE-rated players
World Championship finalists and previous World Cup winners
Host country nominees, giving India additional representation

This multi-path structure ensures that the event features both the world’s elite and rising stars from developing chess nations.

Top Contenders and Indian Participation

The 2025 World Cup is expected to feature several of the game’s biggest names, including Wesley So, Vincent Keymer, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Wei Yi, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, and Anish Giri, subject to qualification and scheduling.

For Indian fans, the excitement is even greater. Local stars such as D. Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nihal Sarin are all anticipated to participate — turning Goa into the epicenter of Indian chess glory.

Participants in FIDE Chess World Cup 2025

S. No.	Name	FIDE ID	Federation	Title	Rating (Oct 2025)	Birth Year
1	Gukesh D	46616543	IND	GM	2752	2006
2	Erigaisi Arjun	35009192	IND	GM	2773	2003
3	Praggnanandhaa R	25059530	IND	GM	2771	2005
4	Giri, Anish	24116068	NED	GM	2759	1994
5	So, Wesley	5202213	USA	GM	2756	1993
6	Keymer, Vincent	12940690	GER	GM	2755	2004
7	Wei, Yi	8603405	CHN	GM	2754	1999
8	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek	14204118	UZB	GM	2750	2004
9	Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	13401319	AZE	GM	2742	1985
10	Niemann, Hans Moke	2093596	USA	GM	2738	2003
11	Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime	623539	FRA	GM	2737	1990
12	Nepomniachtchi, Ian	4168119	FID	GM	2732	1990
13	Le, Quang Liem	12401137	VIE	GM	2729	1991
14	Rapport, Richard	738590	HUN	GM	2724	1996
15	Aronian, Levon	13300474	USA	GM	2722	1982
16	Sindarov, Javokhir	14205483	UZB	GM	2721	2005
17	Yu, Yangyi	8603820	CHN	GM	2720	1994
18	Fedoseev, Vladimir	24130737	SLO	GM	2720	1995
19	Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi	5029465	IND	GM	2716	1994
20	Aravindh, Chithambaram VR.	5072786	IND	GM	2711	1999
21	Liang, Awonder	2056437	USA	GM	2710	2003
22	Nihal Sarin	25092340	IND	GM	2700	2004
23	Sevian, Samuel	2040506	USA	GM	2698	2000
24	Harikrishna, Pentala	5007003	IND	GM	2697	1986
25	Van Foreest, Jorden	1039784	NED	GM	2697	1999
26	Maghsoodloo, Parham	12539929	IRI	GM	2697	2000
27	Esipenko, Andrey	24175439	FID	GM	2693	2002
28	Yakubboev, Nodirbek	14203987	UZB	GM	2689	2002
29	Bluebaum, Matthias	24651516	GER	GM	2687	1997
30	Dubov, Daniil	24126055	FID	GM	2684	1996
31	Alekseenko, Kirill	4135539	AUT	GM	2679	1997
32	Bu, Xiangzhi	8601445	CHN	GM	2672	1985
33	Sargsyan, Shant	13306766	ARM	GM	2667	2002
34	Leko, Peter	703303	HUN	GM	2666	1979
35	Murzin, Volodar	44155573	FID	GM	2664	2006
36	Robson, Ray	2023970	USA	GM	2664	1994
37	Nguyen, Thai Dai Van	358878	CZE	GM	2664	2001
38	Karthikeyan, Murali	5074452	IND	GM	2662	1999
39	Saric, Ivan	14508150	CRO	GM	2661	1990
40	Sarana, Alexey	24133795	SRB	GM	2661	2000
41	Oparin, Grigoriy	24125890	USA	GM	2661	1997
42	Christiansen, Johan-Sebastian	1512668	NOR	GM	2661	1998
43	Navara, David	309095	CZE	GM	2656	1985
44	Mamedov, Rauf	13401653	AZE	GM	2655	1988
45	Deac, Bogdan-Daniel	1226380	ROU	GM	2655	2001
46	Shankland, Sam	2004887	USA	GM	2654	1991
47	Wojtaszek, Radoslaw	1118358	POL	GM	2654	1987
48	Vitiugov, Nikita	4152956	ENG	GM	2654	1987
49	Theodorou, Nikolas	4262875	GRE	GM	2652	2000
50	Mishra, Abhimanyu	30920019	USA	GM	2652	2009
51	Erdogmus, Yagiz Kaan	44599790	TUR	GM	2651	2011
52	Xiong, Jeffery	2047640	USA	GM	2648	2000
53	Rodshtein, Maxim	2806851	ISR	GM	2647	1989
54	Artemiev, Vladislav	24101605	FID	GM	2646	1998
55	Adams, Michael	400041	ENG	GM	2646	1971
56	Grandelius, Nils	1710400	SWE	GM	2645	1993
57	Martinez Alcantara, Jose Eduardo	3805662	MEX	GM	2644	1999
58	Gledura, Benjamin	712779	HUN	GM	2643	1999
59	Kollars, Dmitrij	12909572	GER	GM	2642	1999
60	Pranav, V	25060783	IND	GM	2641	2006
61	Donchenko, Alexander	24603295	GER	GM	2641	1998
62	Sadhwani, Raunak	35093487	IND	GM	2641	2005
63	Vokhidov, Shamsiddin	14204223	UZB	GM	2640	2002
64	Svane, Frederik	12923044	GER	GM	2638	2004
65	Gurel, Ediz	44507356	TUR	GM	2634	2008
66	Chigaev, Maksim	4108116	ESP	GM	2634	1996
67	Hovhannisyan, Robert	13302507	ARM	GM	2633	1991
68	Anton Guijarro, David	2285525	ESP	GM	2631	1995
69	Tari, Aryan	1510045	NOR	GM	2631	1999
70	Pranesh M	35028600	IND	GM	2630	2006
71	Amin, Bassem	10601457	EGY	GM	2629	1988
72	Ivic, Velimir	950122	SRB	GM	2628	2002
73	Bacrot, Etienne	605506	FRA	GM	2627	1983
74	Cheparinov, Ivan	2905540	BUL	GM	2626	1986
75	Martirosyan, Haik M.	13306553	ARM	GM	2626	2000
76	Sargissian, Gabriel	13300881	ARM	GM	2624	1983
77	Yuffa, Daniil	24131423	ESP	GM	2621	1997
78	Mendonca, Leon Luke	35028561	IND	GM	2620	2006
79	Salem, A.R. Saleh	9301348	UAE	GM	2620	1993
80	Indjic, Aleksandar	911925	SRB	GM	2618	1995
81	Narayanan S L	5058422	IND	GM	2617	1998
82	Lagarde, Maxime	662399	FRA	GM	2617	1994
83	Ivanchuk, Vasyl	14100010	UKR	GM	2616	1969
84	Suleymanli, Aydin	13413937	AZE	GM	2614	2005
85	Svane, Rasmus	4657101	GER	GM	2614	1997
86	Grebnev, Aleksey	34189030	FID	GM	2611	2006
87	Najer, Evgeniy	4118987	FID	GM	2610	1977
88	Dardha, Daniel	240990	BEL	GM	2605	2005
89	Henriquez Villagra, Cristobal	3409350	CHI	GM	2605	1996
90	Daneshvar, Bardiya	12576468	IRI	GM	2602	2006
91	Idani, Pouya	12510130	IRI	GM	2601	1995
92	Iniyan, Pa	25002767	IND	GM	2599	2002
93	Zemlyanskii, Ivan	24249971	FID	GM	2596	2010
94	Meier, Georg	4675789	URU	GM	2596	1987
95	Cheng, Bobby	4300033	AUS	GM	2596	1997
96	Cori, Jorge	3802272	PER	GM	2594	1995
97	Yilmaz, Mustafa	6302718	TUR	GM	2591	1992
98	Woodward, Andy	30953499	USA	GM	2590	2010
99	Bai, Jinshi	8602280	CHN	GM	2590	1999
100	Adly, Ahmed	10601619	EGY	GM	2589	1987
101	Huschenbeth, Niclas	24604747	GER	GM	2587	1992
102	Abasov, Nijat	13402960	AZE	GM	2587	1995
103	Motylev, Alexander	4121830	ROU	GM	2586	1979
104	Neiksans, Arturs	11601388	LAT	GM	2585	1983
105	Nesterov, Arseniy	24198455	FID	GM	2584	2003
106	Tin, Jingyao	5804418	SGP	GM	2583	2000
107	Kourkoulos-Arditis, Stamatis	4221990	GRE	GM	2583	1998
108	Warmerdam, Max	1048104	NED	GM	2582	2000
109	Karthik Venkataraman	25006479	IND	GM	2579	1999
110	Brkic, Ante	14506688	CRO	GM	2578	1988
111	Fier, Alexandr	2107139	BRA	GM	2577	1988
112	Lupulescu, Constantin	1207822	ROU	GM	2577	1984
113	Petrov, Nikita	4101286	MNE	GM	2576	1996
114	Bartel, Mateusz	1112635	POL	GM	2575	1985
115	Supi, Luis Paulo	2106388	BRA	GM	2575	1996
116	Jobava, Baadur	13601520	GEO	GM	2573	1983
117	Ghosh, Diptayan	5045207	IND	GM	2573	1998
118	Ganguly, Surya Shekhar	5002150	IND	GM	2573	1983
119	Lodici, Lorenzo	884189	ITA	GM	2560	2000
120	Kantor, Gergely	751499	HUN	GM	2559	1999
121	Flores, Diego	108049	ARG	GM	2558	1982
122	Piorun, Kacper	1130420	POL	GM	2557	1991
123	Kovalev, Vladislav	13504398	FID	GM	2557	1994
124	Bogner, Sebastian	4692055	SUI	GM	2555	1991
125	Can, Emre	6302181	TUR	GM	2552	1990
126	Subelj, Jan	14618583	SLO	GM	2545	2004
127	Mekhitarian, Krikor Sevag	2107660	BRA	GM	2545	1986
128	Nogerbek, Kazybek	13710427	KAZ	GM	2543	2004
129	Raja Rithvik R	35007394	IND	GM	2541	2004
130	Petrov, Martin	2911086	BUL	GM	2540	2000
131	Kuybokarov, Temur	14203049	AUS	GM	2535	2000
132	Maksimovic, Bojan	14408120	BIH	IM	2532	2002
133	Stremavicius, Titas	12804444	LTU	GM	2531	1998
134	Velten, Paul	681091	FRA	GM	2530	1993
135	Lobanov, Sergei	24183750	FID	GM	2526	2001
136	Makhnev, Denis	13707647	KAZ	GM	2525	2000
137	Rodrigue-Lemieux, Shawn	2620049	CAN	GM	2524	2004
138	Samadov, Read	13417444	AZE	IM	2523	2007
139	Ahmadzada, Ahmad	13413007	AZE	GM	2523	2004
140	Peng, Xiongjian	8610550	CHN	GM	2521	2000
141	Cardoso Cardoso, Jose Gabriel	4430492	COL	GM	2518	2004
142	Galaviz Medina, Sion Radamantys	5123119	MEX	IM	2515	2005
143	Aronyak Ghosh	25072846	IND	IM	2514	2003
144	Ghazarian, Kirk	30908604	USA	GM	2513	2006
145	Blohberger, Felix	1632051	AUT	GM	2513	2002
146	Parligras, Mircea-Emilian	1204297	ROU	GM	2510	1980
147	Oro, Faustino	20000197	ARG	IM	2509	2013
148	Garcia Pantoja, Roberto	3509265	COL	GM	2502	1992
149	Lalit Babu M R	5024595	IND	GM	2502	1993
150	Divya Deshmukh	35006916	IND	GM	2498	2005
151	Lashkin, Jegor	13907808	MDA	IM	2497	2003
152	Atabayev, Saparmyrat	14000571	TKM	GM	2494	1999
153	Suleymenov, Alisher	13707833	KAZ	GM	2491	2000
154	Avila Pavas, Santiago	4437128	COL	GM	2490	2004
155	Suyarov, Mukhammadzokhid	14210495	UZB	IM	2487	2009
156	Bellahcene, Bilel	696358	ALG	GM	2485	1998
157	Grigoryan, Karen H.	13301004	ARM	GM	2481	1995
158	Fawzy, Adham	10613129	EGY	GM	2476	2000
159	Gusain, Himal	5033861	IND	IM	2476	1993
160	Harshavardhan G B	25059009	IND	IM	2476	2003
161	Ansat, Aldiyar	13715658	KAZ	IM	2470	2008
162	Siddharth, Jagadeesh	5818320	SGP	GM	2467	2007
163	Neelash Saha	5094160	IND	IM	2466	2002
164	Pantsulaia, Levan	13602071	GEO	GM	2457	1986
165	Berdayes Ason, Dylan Isidro	3516016	CUB	GM	2453	1998
166	Cori Quispe, Kevin Joel	3814017	MEX	GM	2451	1999
167	Salinas Herrera, Pablo	3407128	CHI	GM	2451	1994
168	Agibileg, Uurtsaikh	4901606	MGL	IM	2448	2001
169	Banh Gia Huy	12424714	VIE	IM	2440	2009
170	Rakotomaharo, Fy Antenaina	13100050	MAD	IM	2435	1999
171	Quizon, Daniel	5217911	PHI	GM	2420	2004
172	Vazquez, Facundo	3007669	URU	IM	2419	2004
173	Laohawirapap, Prin	6205003	THA	IM	2417	2006
174	Mohammad Fahad, Rahman	10207791	BAN	IM	2416	2003
175	Amartuvshin, Ganzorig	4902548	MGL	IM	2415	2005
176	Rojas Salas, Steven	3819434	PER	IM	2413	2004
177	Schnaider, Ilan	169013	ARG	IM	2413	2011
178	Tran, Thanh Tu	12401404	JPN	IM	2407	1990
179	Wang, Shixu B	8610665	CHN	IM	2402	2001
180	Thavandiran, Shiyam	2605058	CAN	IM	2402	1992
181	Liyanage, Ranindu Dilshan	9915834	SRI	IM	2401	2003
182	Cahaya, Satria Duta	7124252	INA	FM	2393	2008
183	Cordoba Roa, Angel Gabriel	3957624	COL	IM	2392	2006
184	Mwali, Chitumbo	8700265	ZAM	IM	2392	1986
185	Orozbaev, Eldiyar	13802240	KGZ	IM	2375	2006
186	Mandizha, Farai	11000430	ZIM	IM	2375	1985
187	Akhmedinov, Satbek	13714287	KAZ	IM	2372	2006
188	Manon, Reja Neer	10224009	BAN	IM	2369	2010
189	Silva, David	10101314	ANG	IM	2347	1998
190	Kavin Mohan	5739047	MAS	FM	2346	2011
191	Elbilia, Jacques	9000127	MAR	FM	2332	1971
192	Efimov, Igor	806404	MNC	GM	2331	1960
193	Husbands, Orlando	11101644	BAR	IM	2291	1997
194	Ilkhomi, Jaloliddin	14700948	TJK	FM	2289	2007
195	Barrish, Daniel	14304600	RSA	FM	2284	2000
196	Kigigha, Bomo Lovet	8500037	NGR	FM	2263	1982
197	Boulrens, Ala Eddine	7907559	ALG		2214	2000
198	Salih, Akar Ali Salih	4800575	IRQ	FM	2212	1990
199	Amdouni, Zoubaier	5500419	TUN	FM	2186	1987
200	Huh, Isaak	13209590	KOR	CM	2139	2011
201	Allam, Mohamed	11501731	PLE	CM	2112	2001
202	Alrehaili, Ahmed Abdullah S	21518840	KSA	FM	2109	2000
203	Ndahangwapo, Heskiel	15202020	NAM	CM	2093	2000
204	Qin, Oscar Shu Xuan	4304314	NZL	CM	2078	2008
205	Li, Yiheng	6006760	HKG	CM	1994	2012
206	Abugenda, Nagi	9202544	LBA	CM	1972	1986

Why is the FIDE World Cup 2025 Important for Indian Chess?

Hosting the FIDE World Cup 2025 is being hailed as a landmark achievement for Indian chess.
It comes at a time when India boasts more than 85 grandmasters, and several young chess talents are ranked among the world’s top 20.

The event is expected to generate nationwide enthusiasm, spark local tournaments, and inspire thousands of children to take up chess seriously. Educational institutions, academies, and clubs across India are planning viewing events and workshops during the tournament period.

Past Champions and Legacy

The FIDE World Cup has produced legendary champions over the years.
Past winners include Viswanathan Anand, Levon Aronian, Sergey Karjakin, Teimour Radjabov, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, and most recently, Magnus Carlsen (2023 Baku).

Their success stories underline how the World Cup serves as both a proving ground and a launchpad toward the World Championship.

Final Words

The FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 in Goa will be one of the defining moments in modern chess history.
Bringing together the best minds in the world on Indian soil, it promises thrilling matches, global attention, and a major push for the sport’s growth in the country.

For Indian fans and aspiring players alike, this World Cup is not just another tournament, it’s a celebration of how far Indian chess has come and a glimpse into its bright future.

Hurry up!! Limited seats are available

Book A Free Demo

FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 in India: Dates, Venue, Prize Fund, Format & Key Players

Tournament Format and Schedule of Chess World Cup 2025

Prize Fund and Distribution

The Road to the World Cup

Top Contenders and Indian Participation

Participants in FIDE Chess World Cup 2025

Why is the FIDE World Cup 2025 Important for Indian Chess?

Past Champions and Legacy

Final Words

Related Articles

BOOK A FREE DEMO

FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 in India: Dates, Venue, Prize Fund, Format & Key Players

Tournament Format and Schedule of Chess World Cup 2025

Prize Fund and Distribution

The Road to the World Cup

Top Contenders and Indian Participation

Participants in FIDE Chess World Cup 2025

Why is the FIDE World Cup 2025 Important for Indian Chess?

Past Champions and Legacy

Final Words

Related Articles

Related posts:

BOOK A FREE DEMO